Following the success of last year’s Ceremony, four Access to Higher Education (HE) students have been recognised at the prestigious Keith Fletcher Memorial Prize Awards, held at The Houses of Parliament.

The Ceremony was led by Kevern Kerswell, Group CEO of AIM Qualifications and Assessment Group, as well as nine Access Validating Agencies (AVAs) who support this event every year. Designed to celebrate the outstanding achievements of Access learners, the event was held for a further year in memory of Keith Fletcher, a passionate advocate for social justice and education. The Awards continue to highlight the transformative impact of Access to Higher Education in changing lives and widening participation in education across England and Wales.

“The Keith Fletcher Memorial Awards are always a significant highlight of the academic year. They celebrate outstanding academic achievement alongside the determination, resilience and commitment shown by Access to Higher Education learners. This year we are grateful to Julia Buckley MP for Shrewsbury for supporting the event and in doing so, reinforcing just how highly she regards adult education.

I am proud to work alongside colleagues from all nine AVAs across the country to support these Awards. Together, we shine a light on this vital route into Higher Education.

None of this would be possible without the dedication of tutors and providers, whose work creates life changing opportunities and supports progression into Higher Education and key areas of the labour market.

Congratulations to all of this year’s recipients, and thank you to every tutor involved. I would also like to thank the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) for their ongoing partnership with AVAs and the work they do to maintain and develop Access to Higher Education provision.” - Kevern Kerswell, Group CEO, AIM Qualifications and Assessment Group

Outstanding Academic Achievement

Winner: Catherine Hennessy “I am absolutely thrilled to have received the Keith Fletcher Outstanding Academic Achievement Award. Returning to education as an adult has been hugely rewarding yet challenging, so it means a great deal to have my hard work recognised in this way and feels especially encouraging. I am now pursuing a long-held ambition to study for a Master’s Degree in the History of Art, something I never imagined would be possible just a few years ago. My Access to Higher Education Diploma with City Lit gave me the skills, confidence and encouragement to continue with academic study, and to receive this Award is testament to how transformative that experience has been.”

Highly Commended: Jake Anderton

“I am really pleased to have been named runner-up for the Keith Fletcher Memorial Award. It is a great honour to be recognised alongside so many talented and hardworking people, and I am incredibly grateful for the support and encouragement I have received along the way. The Award represents dedication, passion, and high standards within the industry, and it means a lot to be acknowledged in this way. While I am proud of this achievement, it also motivates me to keep learning, improving, and pushing myself further. I would like to thank the judges, organisers, colleagues, as well as everyone who has supported me throughout this journey such as my tutors from my Access to Higher Education Course. This is an achievement I am immensely proud of, and I am excited for my next journey.”

Criteria for nomination: Students proposed in this category should have excelled in their academic study by producing assessed work of a consistently outstanding quality whilst on their Access to Higher Education Courses. They should have shown evidence of some or all of the following:

• Outstanding commitment to their Access to Higher Education studies, perhaps in the face of difficult and challenging personal circumstances.
• Having made an inspirational journey which demonstrates the life transforming power of learning.
• Individual achievement beyond standard expectations.
• Clear evidence of extra effort above and beyond what would normally be required of a student.
  
  Outstanding Commitment to Study
  
  Winner: (Name withheld at the recipient’s request – The Growth Company learner at Ascentis.)
  
  “I am incredibly honoured and delighted to receive the prestigious Keith Fletcher Memorial Award. This achievement marks a significant moment in my educational journey, and to have my efforts recognised in this way is truly humbling and motivating.”
  
   Highly Commended: Amy Bartlett
  
  “I am absolutely delighted to have been selected as a recipient of the Keith Fletcher Memorial Award, particularly given the challenges I have faced in having to return to full-time education following my cancer diagnosis at a young age.
  
  The Access to Higher Education Course helped me regain my confidence and overcome my anxiety in returning to an educational environment, and engaging with people my own age again. Despite my reduced energy levels and mobility challenges, I still got involved with all aspects of the Course, and I was so pleased to graduate with Distinctions. The Access to Higher Education Course was the perfect springboard for me to build the confidence I needed to then go on to study Zoology at University.
  
  I feel a great sense of pride that my commitment to education has been recognised, and it will undoubtedly encourage me to continue to do well in my future studies.”
  
  Criteria for nomination: Students in this category should have shown evidence of some or all of the following:
  
   • Outstanding commitment to their Access to Higher Education studies, perhaps in the face of difficult and challenging personal circumstances.
   • Having made an inspirational journey which demonstrates the life transforming power of learning.
   • Individual achievement beyond standard expectations.
   • Clear evidence of extra effort above and beyond what would normally be required of a student.
  
  About the Keith Fletcher Memorial Prize Now in its 15th year, the Keith Fletcher Memorial Prize honours the achievements of Access to Higher Education students who have demonstrated outstanding academic performance and commitment to their studies. Named in memory of Keith Fletcher, a passionate advocate for adult learning, the prize continues to celebrate learners who have overcome significant challenges to succeed.
  
  The Access to Higher Education Diploma is a qualification designed to prepare students for University study by providing relevant subject knowledge and developing academic skills.
  
  Judging Panel The judging panel for this year’s Awards included representatives from the AVAs across England and Wales:
  
  
• Darren Howells, Agored Cymru.
• Matt Evans, AIM Qualifications and Assessment Group.
• Alex Houghton, Ascentis Awarding Organisation.
• Emma Corken, CAVA.
• Yvonne Savage, Gateway Qualifications.
• Sally Kent, Laser Learning Awards.
• Julie Farmer, OCN London.
• Claire Blanchard, Open Awards.
• Keran Pincombe, Skills and Education Group.
  
  Supporting AVAs
  
  The Keith Fletcher Memorial Prize is supported by all nine AVAs which are responsible for developing, approving, and monitoring. Access to Higher Education Courses across England and Wales. The AVAs ensure the quality and integrity of Access to Higher Education Diplomas, working closely with providers to support students in achieving their educational goals.

For more information about the Keith Fletcher Memorial Prize and the Access to Higher Education Diploma, please contact businessdevelopment@aimgroup.org.uk

Footnotes

In order to use the title 'Access to HE', a Course must be recognised by the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA). There are over 1,200 recognised Access to HE Courses. All recognised Courses are listed on the database of QAA-recognised Access to HE Courses. A student who successfully completes all Course requirements is awarded the Access to HE Diploma. The 'Access to HE Diploma' is a reserved title. It can only be awarded to students on Courses that have been approved through QAA's Recognition Scheme.